Taking the mystery out of technology

Burlington teachers take part in iPad video training class

Mar. 21, 2014

RETN's Doug Dunbebin guides teachers from CP Smith and Champlain schools in Burlington in developing videos using iPads in a four-week pilot program called Easy iPad Video Projects for Teachers at CP Smith Elementary School in Burlington on March 20. / LYNN MONTY/FREE PRESS

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Free Press Staff Writer

Everyone had a specific task from boom operator to editor. The hands-on iPad video training class buzzed with eager teachers well on their way to producing their own videos.

An iPad teleprompter was held at eye-level, and CP Smith teacher Josh Safron was in place. It took about five takes, but eventually the words just rolled off his tongue. It was his third class is a four-part pilot series offered by local Regional Educational Television Network, a nonprofit provider of training and tools to create and distribute video projects.

RETN Community and Media Relations Manager Doug Dunbebin was on hand offering up his assistance. More than a dozen teachers from CP Smith and Champlain elementary schools attended.

Teachers were challenged to use their iPads in a more complex application than the norm, by using its camera, camera roll, and the iMovie app. “A lot of what we try to do is take the mystery out of technology,” Dunbebin said. “These teachers have gotten really comfortable now.”

Amy Truchon of South Burlington took the class. She is the district’s technology integration specialist for the Burlington elementary schools. “It’s been great,” she said of the pilot series.

Truchon already supports teachers and students with iPads, but wanted the opportunity to work with RETN professionals. “RETN is a valuable resource for teachers and schools,” she said. “The iPad is a very user friendly device, and it’s less intimidating for teachers to use compared to traditional video equipment. We are excited to bring more video into the classrooms.”

“We would like to share this with all of the schools in the area, but we are starting with Burlington because we know there are a lot of iPads in the district,” Campitelli said. “An iPad is an all-in-one tool. It’s amazing in that way. This will really expand the possibilities for students, and the more people producing their own content the better for us.”